Collin Peebles: Chief Executive Officer

Businesses donating food should ensure that:

* the food is donated in good faith for a charitable or benevolent purpose

* the food is donated with the intention that the receiver of the food does not have to pay for the food

* the food is safe to eat when it leaves the possession or control of the donor, and

* the donor gives the charity any information it needs to ensure the ongoing safety of the food.

The donor should also check to make sure that the charity is doing everything that is necessary to keep the food safe.

The Wrongs and Other Acts Act 2002 are put in place to protect food donors. This Act offers protection for food donors from any civil liability, as long as the food is donated for a charitable purpose with the intention that the consumer will not have to pay for the food, and the food was also safe to consume at the time of donation.